U.S. patent number 9,301,647 [Application Number 13/822,346] was granted by the patent office on 2016-04-05 for knife for a cutting disc for a cutting machine.
This patent grant is currently assigned to AB HALLDE MASKINER. The grantee listed for this patent is Ulf Ekstrom. Invention is credited to Ulf Ekstrom.
United States Patent |
9,301,647 |
Ekstrom |
April 5, 2016 |
Knife for a cutting disc for a cutting machine
Abstract
A knife for a cutting disc in a cutting machine, which disc
includes a centrally arranged, penetrating hole and an opening
extending in a radial direction. The disc is manufactured from
sheet metal and includes a dike-shaped section with a sloping part
extending radially from the center of the disc. An attachment
element for attaching the knife is arranged along the sloping part.
The knife is bent along a bend line running along the longitudinal
direction of the knife. The attachment element is present in a
section of the knife on one side of the bend line, and a cutting
edge is present running along the free edge of the knife. The angle
of bend between the sections is such that the section of the knife
at which the cutting edge is present is parallel to the plane of
the cutting disc when the knife is mounted on the disc.
Inventors: |
Ekstrom; Ulf (Taby,
SE) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Ekstrom; Ulf |
Taby |
N/A |
SE |
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|
Assignee: |
AB HALLDE MASKINER (Kista,
SE)
|
Family
ID: |
45832015 |
Appl.
No.: |
13/822,346 |
Filed: |
September 7, 2011 |
PCT
Filed: |
September 07, 2011 |
PCT No.: |
PCT/SE2011/051081 |
371(c)(1),(2),(4) Date: |
June 10, 2013 |
PCT
Pub. No.: |
WO2012/036614 |
PCT
Pub. Date: |
March 22, 2012 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20130270378 A1 |
Oct 17, 2013 |
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Foreign Application Priority Data
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|
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Sep 13, 2010 [SE] |
|
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1050946 |
Jul 12, 2011 [SE] |
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1150664 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B26D
1/0006 (20130101); A47J 43/07 (20130101); B26D
1/29 (20130101); A47J 43/0722 (20130101); B26D
7/2614 (20130101); B26D 2001/006 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A47J
43/07 (20060101); B26D 1/00 (20060101); B26D
1/29 (20060101); B26D 7/26 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;241/92 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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4224428 |
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Jan 1994 |
|
DE |
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2048655 |
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Dec 1980 |
|
GB |
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2009/093973 |
|
Jul 2009 |
|
WO |
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Other References
International Search Report dated Dec. 15, 2011, corresponding to
PCT/SE2011/051081. cited by applicant.
|
Primary Examiner: Rosenbaum; Mark
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Young & Thompson
Claims
The invention claimed is:
1. A knife in combination with a cutting disc (1) for use in a
cutting machine, which cutting disc is arranged to cut foodstuffs,
or arranged for shredding of foodstuffs, which cutting disc
comprises a centrally arranged, penetrating hole (3) and an opening
(6) that extends in a radial direction, and where the cutting disc
(1) is manufactured from sheet metal, which disc comprises a first
bent edge (7) arranged peripherally around the disc (1) and a
second bent edge (8) arranged peripherally around the penetrating
hole (3), and where the disc comprises a dike-shaped section (5, 9)
with a sloping part (5) that extends radially from the centre of
the cutting disc (1) and out to said first bent edge (7), and where
an attachment means (4) for the attachment of a cutting device that
comprises said knife (10) is arranged along the sloping part (5),
wherein the knife (10) is bent along a bend line (11) that runs
along the longitudinal direction of the knife, the attachment means
(12-14) for the knife (10) is present in a section (15) of the
knife on one side of the bend line (11) and a cutting edge (16) is
present running along the free edge of the knife at a section (17)
of the knife on the other side of the bend line (11), and the angle
of bend between the sections is such that the section (17) of the
knife at which the cutting edge (16) is present is parallel to the
plane of the cutting disc (1) when the knife (10) is mounted on the
cutting disc.
2. The knife in combination with the cutting disc according to
claim 1, wherein said sections (15, 17) of the knife (10) on the
two sides of the bend line (11) are plane.
3. The knife in combination with the cutting disc according to
claim 2, wherein the knife (10) is manufactured from stainless
steel.
4. The knife in combination with the cutting disc according to
claim 2, wherein the knife (10) is arranged to be in contact with
and attached to the lower surface of the sloping part (5) of the
cutting disc (1).
5. The knife in combination with the cutting disc according to
claim 2, wherein the cutting edge (16) of the knife (10) is ground
such that the grinding is present at the lower surface (21) of the
knife when the knife is mounted on the cutting disc (1).
6. The knife in combination with the cutting disc according to
claim 2, wherein the cutting disc (1) is arranged for shredding of
foodstuffs, where fastening means (18,19) are arranged for
fastening of a shredding means (14) comprising a plurality of
knives, which shredding means is arranged to cooperate with said
knife (10) such that the foodstuffs are cut in two mutually
perpendicular planes, and the knives (11) of the shredding means
extend perpendicularly or essentially perpendicularly to the edge
(12) of the first knife in said opening (6) at the part (17) of the
first knife where the edge (12) is arranged.
7. The knife in combination with the cutting disc according to
claim 1, wherein the knife (10) is manufactured from stainless
steel.
8. The knife in combination with the cutting disc according to
claim 7, wherein the knife (10) is arranged to be in contact with
and attached to the lower surface of the sloping part (5) of the
cutting disc (1).
9. The knife in combination with the cutting disc according to
claim 7, wherein the cutting edge (16) of the knife (10) is ground
such that the grinding is present at the lower surface (21) of the
knife when the knife is mounted on the cutting disc (1).
10. The knife in combination with the cutting disc according to
claim 7, wherein the cutting disc (1) is arranged for shredding of
foodstuffs, where fastening means (18,19) are arranged for
fastening of a shredding means (14) comprising a plurality of
knives, which shredding means is arranged to cooperate with said
knife (10) such that the foodstuffs are cut in two mutually
perpendicular planes, and the knives (11) of the shredding means
extend perpendicularly or essentially perpendicularly to the edge
(12) of the first knife in said opening (6) at the part (17) of the
first knife where the edge (12) is arranged.
11. The knife in combination with the cutting disc according to
claim 1, wherein the knife (10) is arranged to be in contact with
and attached to the lower surface of the sloping part (5) of the
cutting disc (1).
12. The knife in combination with the cutting disc according to
claim 11, wherein the cutting edge (16) of the knife (10) is ground
such that the grinding is present at the lower surface (21) of the
knife when the knife is mounted on the cutting disc (1).
13. The knife in combination with the cutting disc according to
claim 11, wherein the cutting disc (1) is arranged for shredding of
foodstuffs, where fastening means (18,19) are arranged for
fastening of a shredding means (14) comprising a plurality of
knives, which shredding means is arranged to cooperate with said
knife (10) such that the foodstuffs are cut in two mutually
perpendicular planes, and the knives (11) of the shredding means
extend perpendicularly or essentially perpendicularly to the edge
(12) of the first knife in said opening (6) at the part (17) of the
first knife where the edge (12) is arranged.
14. The knife in combination with the cutting disc according to
claim 1, wherein the cutting edge (16) of the knife (10) is ground
such that the grinding is present at the lower surface (21) of the
knife when the knife is mounted on the cutting disc (1).
15. The knife in combination with the cutting disc according to
claim 14, wherein the cutting disc (1) is arranged for shredding of
foodstuffs, where fastening means (18,19) are arranged for
fastening of a shredding means (14) comprising a plurality of
knives, which shredding means is arranged to cooperate with said
knife (10) such that the foodstuffs are cut in two mutually
perpendicular planes, and the knives (11) of the shredding means
extend perpendicularly or essentially perpendicularly to the edge
(12) of the first knife in said opening (6) at the part (17) of the
first knife where the edge (12) is arranged.
16. The knife in combination with the cutting disc according to
claim 1, wherein the cutting disc (1) is arranged for shredding of
foodstuffs, where fastening means (18,19) are arranged for
fastening of a shredding means (14) comprising a plurality of
knives, which shredding means is arranged to cooperate with said
knife (10) such that the foodstuffs are cut in two mutually
perpendicular planes, and the knives (11) of the shredding means
extend perpendicularly or essentially perpendicularly to the edge
(12) of the first knife in said opening (6) at the part (17) of the
first knife where the edge (12) is arranged.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a knife for a cutting disc for a
cutting machine, or to be more precise, a vegetable cutter.
A cutting machine is a type of food processor, in which a cutting
disc is arranged to rotate, and that is used to cut foodstuffs
either in industrial kitchens or the home.
2. Description of the Related Art
Cutting discs that are used in such cutting machines have
conventionally been manufactured from die-cast aluminium. However,
discs of aluminium tend to become discoloured not only through
contact with acids that are present in foodstuffs, but also when
being washed in a washing machine. This is undesirable for their
use in, for example, industrial kitchens.
Cutting discs are exposed to large forces during their use in
cutting machines, including reactive forces from foodstuffs, which
are pressed with great force through the cutting part of the
cutting machine in which the disc is arranged. Cutting discs must,
therefore, possess sufficient stiffness.
The Swedish patent 531916 describes a cutting disc for use in a
cutting machine, comprising a centrally arranged, penetrating hole
and an opening that extends in a radial direction, and it is
characterised in that the cutting disc is manufactured from sheet
metal. The cutting disc comprises a first bent edge peripherally
arranged around the disc and a second bent edge arranged
peripherally around the penetrating hole. Further, the cutting disc
comprises a dike-shaped section that extends radially from the
centre of the cutting disc and out to the said first bent edge. An
opening through the disc is arranged in connection with the
dike-shaped part.
In the case in which a removable cutting knife is used, this is
fixed in connection to this opening at one of the surfaces that
form the dike-shaped section. This results in the knife forming a
certain small angle with the plane of the cutting disc. The angle
can be, typically, 10-20 degrees.
Such an arrangement means that it is not possible to cut thin
slices of certain vegetables without the slices becoming deformed,
and in that a slice is cut with an uneven thickness. Such a cutting
result is unacceptable.
The present invention solves this problem.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention thus relates to a knife for a cutting disc
for use in a cutting machine, which cutting disc is arranged to cut
foodstuffs, or arranged for shredding of foodstuffs, which cutting
disc comprises a centrally arranged, penetrating hole and an
opening that extends in a radial direction, where the cutting disc
is manufactured from sheet metal, which disc comprises a first bent
edge arranged peripherally around the disc and a second bent edge
arranged peripherally around the penetrating hole, and where the
disc comprises a dike-shaped section with a sloping part that
extends radially from the centre of the cutting disc and out to the
said first bent edge, and where an attachment means for the
attachment of a cutting device that comprises the said knife is
arranged along the sloping part, and it is characterised in that
that knife is bent along a bend line that runs along the
longitudinal direction of the knife, in that the attachment means
for the knife is present in a section of the knife on one side of
the bend line and in that a cutting edge is present running along
the free edge of the knife at a section of the knife on the other
side of the bend line, and in that the angle of bend between the
sections is such that the section of the knife at which the cutting
edge is present is parallel to the plane of the cutting disc when
the knife is mounted on the cutting disc.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will be described in more detail below with reference
to exemplifying embodiments of the invention and to the attached
drawings, where:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cutting disc
FIG. 2 is a view from above of a cutting disc according to FIG.
1
FIG. 3 is a side view of a cutting disc according to FIG. 1
FIG. 4 is a plan view of a knife according to the invention
FIG. 5 is a side view of a knife according to the invention
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a knife according to the
invention
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a cutting disc with a knife
according to the invention mounted on the cutting disc according to
a first embodiment of the invention
FIG. 8 is a sketch that illustrates the cutting procedure of the
knife
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a cutting disc according to a
second embodiment of the invention
FIG. 10 shows a shredding means which in FIG. 9 is mounted on the
cutting disc
FIG. 11 is a top view of the knife of the cutting disc according to
the invention
FIG. 12 is a simplified top view of a knife according to FIG.
11
FIG. 13 is a side view of a knife according to said second
embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
FIG. 1 shows a cutting disc 1 according to the Swedish patent
531916, intended for use in a cutting machine. The disc 1 is
essentially plane and associated with an axial direction A, an
angular direction V and a radial direction R. FIGS. 2 and 3 show
two other views of the same cutting disc. The reference numbers are
the same in all of these figures.
The disc 1 comprises a peripheral edge 2 that stretches around the
axis of the disc 1 in the angular direction V, and a centrally
arranged, penetrating hole 3. The dimensions and form of the hole 3
are adapted to be able to engage with the existing attachment for a
cutting disc in a known cutting machine (not shown), in which the
cutting disc 1 is intended to be used.
The disc 1 further comprises an extended dike-shaped section 5, 9
that extends in a radial direction R out from the hole 3, and which
may have, for example, parallel edges or it may essentially have
radial symmetry. The dike-shaped section comprises a sloping part
5. An opening 6 is arranged next to the sloping part 5, which
opening extends in essentially the radial direction R, and through
which opening cut foodstuffs are passed during use of the cutting
machine.
A cutting edge is arranged along a free edge of the opening 6 to
support an exchangeable cutting device in the form of a
blade-formed knife according to the invention. The knife is
arranged to be mounted on the cutting disc 1 with the aid of
conventional attachment means 4, in the form, for example, of
internally threaded holes that are arranged to be able to engage
externally threaded screws that are, in turn, arranged to be able
to retain the cutting device at the sloping part 5, along a free
edge of the sloping part 5.
The sloping part 5 comprises at least one surface section that
slopes along the angular direction V of the disc 1, such that a
point on the sloping surface section that lies further away from
the cutting edge in the angular direction V also is further away
from the principal plane of the disc 1 in its axial direction
A.
During its use in a cutting machine, the disc rotates around the
angular direction V, preferably with a rate of revolution of
between 100 and 3000 revolutions per minute. Foodstuffs, such as
vegetables, meat, etc., that are to be cut up are fed along the
axial direction A in the direction towards the disc 1. The
foodstuffs are pressed against the cutting edge due to the rotation
of the disc 1, and they are cut by this edge. The cut foodstuff
parts are pressed onwards, due to the rotation of the disc 1 in
combination with the sloping plane of the sloping part 5, through
the opening 6 away from the disc 1 in the axial direction A and
onwards towards the collection or outlet arrangement of the cutting
machine, or to a subsequent processing stage.
Thus foodstuffs pass through the opening 6 in association with
their being cut up by the cutting edge. The opening 6 may be
arranged with different heights or widths, depending on the purpose
of the cutting disc 1. Different further cutting arrangements, for
example, may be arranged along the cutting disc 1 in the processing
programme of the cutting machine, and different thickness of the
cut up foodstuffs may be desired for this reason. Such
considerations are thus reflected in the choice of form and
dimensions for the opening 6.
Conventional cutting discs are normally manufactured from cast
light metal. The present cutting disc 1 is manufactured from
relatively thin sheet rust-free metal, with a thickness between 1
and 2.5 millimeters, preferably approximately 1.5 mm.
The information presented above is presented in the Swedish patent
mentioned above.
As has been mentioned above, a conventional knife mounted onto the
cutting disc results in the knife forming a certain angle with the
plane of the disc, which in turn means that it is not possible to
cut thin slices of certain vegetables without the slices becoming
deformed, and in that a slice is cut with an uneven thickness.
According to the present invention, the knife 10 is bent along a
bend line 11 that runs in the longitudinal direction of the knife.
The attachment means of the knife 10, which is constituted by holes
12-14 into which screws that are screwed into the cutting disc 1
run, is located in a section 15 of the knife 10 on one side of the
bend line 11. The cutting edge 16 of the knife 10 is located along
the free edge of the knife in a section 17 of the knife on the
other side of the bend line 11.
According to a highly significant distinctive feature, the angle of
bend, i.e. the angle between the two said sections, is such that
the section 17 of the knife at which the cutting edge 16 is located
is parallel to the plane of the cutting disc 1 when the knife 10 is
mounted on the cutting disc. The last mentioned distinctive feature
is illustrated in FIG. 8. A part of the plane of the cutting disc 1
is shown in FIG. 8, together with a part of the sloping part 5 at
which the knife is attached.
Thus, through this design of the knife, the section 17 of the knife
at which the cutting edge is located will be parallel to the
uppermost surface of the cutting disc. In this way, a vegetable
that is cut will be in contact during the cutting operation with
the section 17, which thus constitutes a support for the vegetable,
which is pressed from above downwards against the cutting disc of a
feed arrangement. A vegetable 18 is shown in FIG. 8 by dashed
lines. A partially cut part of the vegetable 18 has been given the
reference number 19. The direction of transport of the cutting disc
is shown by the arrow 20.
It is possible, through the design of the knife here described, to
cut thin slices of certain vegetables, for example tomatoes,
without the slices becoming deformed and without a slice being cut
with an uneven thickness. In contrast, the slices will be of equal
thickness also when soft vegetables are cut. Furthermore, it is
possible to cut thin slices.
It is preferred that the said sections 15, 17 of the knife on the
two sides of the bend line 11 are plane.
It is furthermore preferred that the knife 10 be manufactured from
stainless steel.
According to one preferred embodiment, the knife 10 is arranged to
be in contact with and to be attached to the lower surface of the
sloping part 5.
According to a second preferred embodiment, the cutting edge 16 of
the knife 10 has been ground such that the grinding is present only
at the lower surface 21 of the knife 11 when the knife is mounted
on the cutting disc.
According to another embodiment of the invention, in case the
cutting disc is arranged for shredding of foodstuffs, fastening
means are arranged for fastening of a shredding means comprising a
plurality of knives. The shredding means is arranged to cooperate
with said knife such that the foodstuffs are cut in two mutually
perpendicular planes. This embodiment is characterized in that the
knives of the shredding means extend perpendicularly or essentially
perpendicularly to the edge of the first knife in said opening at
the part of the first knife where the edge is arranged.
A fastening means 4 for fastening of a cutting means comprising a
first knife 10 is arranged along the inclined part 5. Furthermore,
there are fastening means 18, 19 arranged for fastening of said
shredding means 14 comprising a plurality of parallel knives
11.
Hereby, the first knife will cut off foodstuffs which are fed
towards and against the knife by the rotating cutting disc and
immediately thereafter the knives 11 of the shredding means 14 will
split the cut-off foodstuffs in parallel shreds. The shreds will
thereafter pass through the opening 6.
According to the said embodiment of the invention, the
parallel-arranged knives of the shredding means run perpendicularly
to the edge of the first knife in the said opening at the part of
the first knife in which the edge is arranged.
As can be seen in FIG. 11 the knife 10 is provided with narrow
slots 20 into which the upper part of the shredding knives are
entered in order to stabilize the shredding knives.
Because of this design of the knife, the part 17 of the knife in
which the edge is arranged will thus be parallel to the upper
surface of the cutting disc. Hereby, a vegetable which is cut will,
during the cutting, abut against the part 17 which thereby
constitutes a support for the vegetable, which is pressed downwards
from above against the cutting disc by a feeding device.
Because of the described embodiment of the first knife and the
shredding means 14, shreds are cut away with a square or
rectangular cross-section and with constant thickness along their
length. Also, the shreds can be made thin.
A number of preferred embodiments have been described above. It is,
however, obvious for one skilled in the arts that many changes can
be made to the embodiments described, without deviating from the
innovative concept of the invention. Thus, the invention is not to
be limited by the embodiments described but can be varied within
the scope of the attached patent claims.
* * * * *